Soon after her husband’s diagnosis of colon cancer in 2002, Diane became interested in cancer research and clinical trials. Inspired by her husband’s hope that his involvement in clinical research might help others in the future, Diane became involved in the research advocacy program at VICC. Since his death in 2003, Diane has continued to be active in the Vanderbilt GI Cancer SPORE advocacy activities, including attending quarterly advocate meetings, SPORE project meetings, ESAB meetings and seminars. Diane has attended numerous research advocacy trainings through the Colorectal Cancer Coalition, has participated in political advocacy at the state and national level to support colon cancer research and volunteers for the Colon Cancer Alliance at local events. In 2004, Diane received an award of appreciation at the GI/Pancreas InterSPORE conference.

As a 13-year metastatic colorectal cancer survivor, Ron is passionate about colon cancer research and educating the public on the importance of prevention and early detection. His research advocacy experience began in 2006 when he became an active member of the GI SPORE research advocacy program. Ron has been a speaker at the GI SPORE External Advisory Board Meeting, the Research Advocacy Network presentation at VICC, the Primary Care Update: CRC Screening and Prevention conference, and was featured in an Ayers Institute story by the Ivanhoe Medical News Service. He has served as a member of the Internal Advisory Committee of the Vanderbilt University Tumor Microenvironment Network (VUTMEN), and been active with the Tennessee Cancer Coalition through colorectal cancer initiatives. He is currently a member of the VICC Expressive Arts Committee which helps patients cope with the emotional side of cancer through the arts.

A two-time cancer survivor of stage 4 colorectal cancer and a patient of GI SPORE Principal Investigator Jordan Berlin, M.D., Wade is committed to giving back in any way possible as he is convinced he would not be alive if not for the cancer treatment he received at VICC. The Nashville singer/songwriter found inspiration through his cancer journey and the advice to “go life your life” given to him by Dr. Berlin when he was declared cancer free after 3 years. That advice turned into a song and the title track of his newest album entitled Go Live Your Life. Earlier this year, he organized a sold-out concert benefitting GI research at VICC and plans to make it an ongoing event. Wade helps to spread awareness and hope by sharing his story and was the the keynote speaker at the 2013 VICC Annual Survivor Celebration and has spoken at several medical conferences around the nation including the 2014 REV Forum in Washington, DC.

Wally Wilson is a musician, producer, publisher and songwriter based in Nashville, TN. Wally began his career as a musician during the “heyday” of honkytonks in Texas. Wally moved to Nashville from Dallas in 1980 with nothing more than his pickup truck and a hunger for the music business. He began his Nashville career as a janitor at Tree Publishing, country music’s largest publisher. He worked his way up at Tree, becoming a staff songwriter and writing hits for dozens of stars in the country and pop world. Wally began producing records. His first effort with Joan Baez received a Grammy nomination. He then developed and produced Lonestar, which went on to sell millions of records in their 10 years with BMG Records. Wally began working as an executive at MCA/Universal Music Publishing, heading their production division. He has served on the board of governors of NARAS and other music industry foundations. Wally went on to start Skyline Music Publishing and Skyville Records. Skyline Music Publishing has developed a 3,000 song catalogue, including hits from The Band Perry, Rascal Flatts, Sara Evans, and Reba McEntire. Wally then decided to get into the artist development business, and as a way to spread the word about his new acts he came up with the concept that he called Skyville Live. Wally has been touched by cancer repeatedly with many of his friends and colleagues, including Wade Hayes, afflicted by or dying from cancer. Most recently, a close family member was diagnosed and treated at VICC for colorectal cancer.

A breast cancer survivor and an active member of the breast cancer community, Lynne brings many years advocacy experience to the SPORE advocacy program. Shortly after her diagnosis in 1996, she became involved with the Tennessee chapter of the Breast Cancer Coalition, serving in many capacities as board member, board president and executive director. In 2004, Lynne became the first Breast SPORE research advocate while she continued to stay involved with other national organizations such as the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and the National Breast Cancer Coalition. Lynne is a graduate of Project LEAD and Project LEAD Clinical Trials, serves as a Komen Advocate Reviewer, attends monthly research and advocate meetings, and the annual NCI SPORE Investigators workshop. She also serves on the VICC External Scientific Advisory Board, the VICC Survivorship Committee, and is a writer and editor for a newsletter publication called BREASTLINK.

As a breast cancer survivor since 1999, Patty has shared her experiences and knowledge in a variety of venues, both professionally and personally. She received a M.L.S. degree from the University of Texas, and has been a medical librarian for over 25 years working closely with the cancer research community. Patty joined the VICC Breast SPORE in 2005 as a research advocate, participates in the SPORE research and advocate meetings, and facilitated advocate training on accessing scientific online resources. She also serves on the Breast Cancer Tumor Board, is a patient advocate on the VICC Cancer committee, and has been accepted as a consumer reviewer for the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research program.

Number of years as a cancer survivor: 17 years

How many years have you been a VICC research advocate?  Since 2005

Why did you become a VICC research advocate?

I wanted to communicate directly with clinical investigators about the priorities and needs of cancer patients. The outcomes and unintended consequences of cancer impact the physical health, emotional and psychological health as well as financial well-being of individuals and families. Cancer survivors integrated into the clinical research environment can provide an important perspective, keeping the patient’s voice prominent in decisions about treatment and diagnosis in addition to bring attention to the problems of survivors and their families.

List any ways you are involved in national organizations, if any. (Ex: grant reviewer for DoD, national advocacy, etc.)

• Consumer Reviewer for DoD CDMRP Breast Cancer
• 2014 DoD Molecular Biology & Genetics (MBG) panel
• 2012 DoD  Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics Panel
• DoD 2008 Breast Cancer Innovation Awards
• DoD 2010 Era of Hope Postdoctoral Awards
• 2008 DoD Breast Cancer Innovation Awards
• Translational Breast Cancer Research Consortium Member 2008+
• Triple Negative Working Group and Patient Advocate Working Group
• Member -  American Association for Cancer Research 2008 +

List any presentations or poster sessions you have been involved in at scientific conferences.

• “Mythbusters: Cancer Research in Jeopardy” American Association for Cancer Research 2010 Poster Abstract #972
• Poster Presentation: Mythbusters: Cancer Research in Jeopardy.  AACE-CPEN-EACE Joint Meeting International Cancer Education Conference October 2010
• SU2C Targeting the PI3K Pathway in Women’s Cancers – VICC Advocate representative 2009-2011

Do you serve on any committees, advisory boards, etc. at VICC or VUMC?

• VICC Cancer Committee
• VICC External Advisory Board
• VICC Breast Cancer Program/Breast SPORE
• Past member of VICC Scientific Review Committee and Quality Council

Do you have any relevant advocate trainings or certifications (Ex: Project LEAD)?

• AACR Scientist Survivor Program Scholarship and Certificate 2010

Prior to her breast cancer diagnosis 12 years ago, Janet was active in several health and cancer related volunteer activities for over 15 years, including serving as a committee member for the TJ Martell Foundation, an entertainment industry foundation for cancer research. Her breast cancer advocacy experience began in 2006 when she joined the Breast SPORE advocacy program and participated in the filming of a video by cancer survivors on clinical trials. Janet attends SPORE research and advocate meetings, serves as a Komen Advocate Reviewer, and in 2007 was a featured speaker at the VICC Breast Cancer Research Retreat. Janet also attended the 2007 ASCO meeting, the 2007 Breast Cancer Symposium, and is a graduate of the Research Advocacy Network “Focus on Research” training.

Number of years as a cancer survivor: 12

How many years have you been a VICC research advocate?  10

Why did you become a VICC research advocate?

To pay it forward. I wanted to learn and understand cancer research and be able to help others.

List any ways you are involved in the community, if any. (Ex: non-profit boards, volunteer work, committees, etc.)

• Board member – The Bill Sattler Memorial Foundation for Aerospace Education
• Secretary/Treasurer – Women in Aviation, Music City Chapter
• Board member – EAA, Chapter 863
• Volunteer of 25 years – TJ Martell Foundation
• Volunteer – Young Eagles Program

List any ways you are involved in national organizations, if any. (Ex: grant reviewer for DoD, national advocacy, etc.)

• Grant reviewer for DoD and Susan G. Komen Foundation
• Fundraising and program assistance – TJ Martell Foundation for cancer research

List any presentations or poster sessions you have been involved in at scientific conferences.

• Past Speaker – VICC Annual Retreat

Do you serve on any committees, advisory boards, etc. at VICC or VUMC?  

• Serve as Research Advocate on the PCORI NRE grant with CRISS.

Do you have any relevant advocate trainings or certifications (Ex: Project LEAD)?

• Project LEAD
• Focus on Research

Number of years as a cancer survivor: one

How many years have you been a VICC research advocate?  3 months

Why did you become a VICC research advocate?

After my excellent care at VICC and recovery from cancer, I felt the obligation and responsibility to give back and help others with their cancer experience.  I am excited to be a research advocate and be able to speak on behalf of patients as researchers continue to find new treatments and cures for cancer.

List any ways you are involved in the community, if any. (Ex: non-profit boards, volunteer work, committees, etc.)

• T J Martell Foundation Board member and former Treasurer
• The New Beginnings Center Board member
• Book Em’-Reading is Fundamental volunteer Reader
• Graceworks
• Second Harvest Food Bank Volunteer